frequentflyer
New Member
Thanks to feedback and education here, I decided on the Blix Aveny. I was driving myself a bit crazy trying to decide (F.O.B.O. all the way) but I ordered the bike a couple of weeks ago and took possession on Saturday. I'm quite pleased. Time will tell, of course.
I wanted a commuter-style, rear drive + throttle for pleasure riding and perhaps commuting (<4miles). I considered this my starter e-bike and didn't want to invest more than 2K. As an older rider, I wanted a step-through. I looked through every review for rear drive, step thru commuters for under 2k. In the end, perhaps the most important factor in my decision was how and where to buy. I'm not near any dealers except Pedego and Electra (Both of these were out of my price range and/or not what I was looking for), so I knew I'd have to take a chance and order online. I liked that Blix works by shipping to a local shop. I got to watch them put it together, test it, adjust, etc., and now my LBS guys know the bike and I have a place to go for support. That really mattered to me. And Blix has a 30-day free return policy. (That, of course, is like those 100-day mattress deals. Who really sends back a mattress after 3-months? How do you get it back in the box, anyway? ) Also, as a US affiliate of an established Swedish company, I figured Blix will be around awhile.
I liked a lot about what I saw in Court's review of the Aveny and elsewhere. Good looks, power, smart battery position, gearing. The concerns? I guess first was sizing. At just under 5'9", I was worried that the Aveny (26") would be too small. But it fits fine -- I have the seat pretty high but it's secure and after years of riding bikes that were slightly too big for me (inherited, borrowed from hubby, etc), this feels fine. Second, I wasn't sure 350w would be enough for some of inclines in my area (some long and short, 8% to 12%) at my weight, but on the hills I've tested so far, I'm getting up them with no problem. It's a powerful bike. I'm still getting used to it. I can't decide if I like the rather heavy basket pulling on my turns -- but I guess I can take it off if I want.
That's the report. Happy shopping.
I wanted a commuter-style, rear drive + throttle for pleasure riding and perhaps commuting (<4miles). I considered this my starter e-bike and didn't want to invest more than 2K. As an older rider, I wanted a step-through. I looked through every review for rear drive, step thru commuters for under 2k. In the end, perhaps the most important factor in my decision was how and where to buy. I'm not near any dealers except Pedego and Electra (Both of these were out of my price range and/or not what I was looking for), so I knew I'd have to take a chance and order online. I liked that Blix works by shipping to a local shop. I got to watch them put it together, test it, adjust, etc., and now my LBS guys know the bike and I have a place to go for support. That really mattered to me. And Blix has a 30-day free return policy. (That, of course, is like those 100-day mattress deals. Who really sends back a mattress after 3-months? How do you get it back in the box, anyway? ) Also, as a US affiliate of an established Swedish company, I figured Blix will be around awhile.
I liked a lot about what I saw in Court's review of the Aveny and elsewhere. Good looks, power, smart battery position, gearing. The concerns? I guess first was sizing. At just under 5'9", I was worried that the Aveny (26") would be too small. But it fits fine -- I have the seat pretty high but it's secure and after years of riding bikes that were slightly too big for me (inherited, borrowed from hubby, etc), this feels fine. Second, I wasn't sure 350w would be enough for some of inclines in my area (some long and short, 8% to 12%) at my weight, but on the hills I've tested so far, I'm getting up them with no problem. It's a powerful bike. I'm still getting used to it. I can't decide if I like the rather heavy basket pulling on my turns -- but I guess I can take it off if I want.
That's the report. Happy shopping.
